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Secretary-General condemns Taliban’s decision to ban Afghan women from working with the United Nations
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The United Nations strongly condemned a Taliban decision banning Afghan women from working for the Organization. The Secretary-General stressed that the ban also violates Afghanistan’s obligations under international human rights law, and infringes on the principle of non-discrimination, which is a core tenet underpinning the United Nations Charter. The Secretary-General emphasizes that female staff members are essential to the UN operations, including in the delivery of life-saving assistance, and that the enforcement of this decision will harm the Afghan people, millions of whom need assistance.
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Special Coordinator Wronecka discusses importance of presidential election
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Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka held meetings in Beirut this week to follow up on key constitutional milestones for Lebanon and political developments as well as the security situation in the country. In her separate meetings with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the Special Coordinator reiterated the importance of holding the election of a new President after five months of vacuum, the formation of a new government and the implementation of urgent reforms. She also discussed with the caretaker Minister of Finance, Ghazi Wazni, the urgent need to adopt the 2023 budget. She also welcomed the announcement for municipal elections in May. She hoped that all stakeholders will take the steps needed to ensure a smooth, inclusive and transparent electoral process and enable the Lebanese to exercise their political rights.
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UN envoy Grundberg calls for inclusive political process to end Yemen conflict
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On the one-year anniversary of the truce agreement on 2 April, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen Hans Grundberg called for an inclusive political process to comprehensively and sustainably end the conflict in Yemen. A Truce agreement is broadly holding even though it expired in October 2020, he wrote, but there are still significant risks. Grundberg has been engaging with the parties and other Yemeni actors, as well as regional and international stakeholders, to build consensus around launching an inclusive political process.
Read the Special Envoy’s full message here
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DSRSG Cordone visits Kirkuk Governorate to discuss the participation of women and minorities in upcoming elections
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On a visit to Kirkuk Governorate on 4 April, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance Claudio Cordone held separate meetings with the Acting Governor, Rakan Al-Jouburi, Head of the Iraq Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) office, Loay Arkan Ali Rostem, representatives of Kirkuk's components and civil society. Discussions focused on the forthcoming Provincial Council’s elections including the participation of women and minorities as well as the overall situation in the governorate.
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Special Representative Bathily visits Sudan, Chad and Niger to discuss restoring peace and stability in Libya
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On 5 April, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya Abdoulaye Bathily completed his first official visit to Sudan, Chad and Niger. During the visit, he discussed restoring peace and stability in Libya, including through the withdrawal of foreign fighters, foreign forces and mercenaries from the country. The visit was in support of the 5+5 Joint Military Committee (JMC) Action Plan that established the Liaison Committees of Sudan, Chad and Niger and supported the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the UN and signed by Libyan parties in October 2020.
Read more here
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West Africa and the Sahel
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UNOWAS commends Liberian political parties for pledging peaceful elections
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The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) and Officer in Charge of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Giovanie Biha, has commended political parties in Liberia for signing the Revised Farmington River Declaration 2023, pledging their commitment to peaceful, transparent, and credible elections in October 2023. DSRSG Biha visited Liberia to participate in the signing ceremony and discuss ways of reinforcing UN-Liberia partnership ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections. She met with President George Manneh Weah and other authorities, civil society organizations, and the UN Country Team to renew the UN's support for consolidating peace and democracy in Liberia.
Read more here
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Newly appointed UN Special Representative for Haiti takes up her functions
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This week, the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), María Isabel Salvador, took up her official functions. On 3 April, she met the Secretary-General and discussed support efforts for Haitians to restore democratically elected institutions.
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DPPA Policy and Mediation Division releases Arabic translation of its guidance on ceasefire mediation for conflict resolution
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This week, DPPA released the Arabic translation of its Guidance on the Mediation of Ceasefires. Drawing on the UN's decades of experience supporting ceasefires, the document provides a comprehensive overview of the various types of ceasefires, alongside illustrative examples from around the world. The Guidance offers a reference for stakeholders seeking a path out of conflict, including planning considerations for mediators and parties for ceasefire negotiations and the implementation of ceasefire agreements. It also offers innovative options to strengthen the inclusion and meaningful participation of women.
Read more here
Access the report in Arabic here
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Security Council Affairs Division publishes monthly roundup
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DPPA’s Security Council Affairs Division (SCAD) circulated its "United Nations Security Council in Review" for March 2023. The monthly newsletter offers an overview of the activity of the Security Council under the presidency of Mozambique, which included 28 formal meetings, 11 consultations, seven decisions, one press statement, and four Arria-formula meetings. Its signature events included a high-level open debate on Women, Peace and Security.
Subscribe to receive updates in your inbox here
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Members of the Peacebuilding Commission attend a strategic capacity-building workshop on youth, peace and security
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On 4 April, DPPA and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) organized the first ever expert-level strategic capacity-building workshop on youth, peace and security (YPS) for the members of the Peacebuilding Commission. The workshop provided a platform for participants to discuss ways to strengthen the role of the Commission in advancing the YPS agenda, with a focus on promoting full, effective and meaningful participation of youth and mainstreaming a youth perspective. The participants expressed their commitment to continuing to advance the agenda through the work of the Commission and strengthen the implementation of the Commission’s strategic action on youth and peacebuilding.
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UN and World Bank review “Pathways for Peace” report legacy
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The UN and World Bank are coordinating a policy initiative to assess the legacy and relevance of the "Pathways for Peace" report, which was published five years ago. Two consultations took place this week, gathering reflections from academics, policy makers and practitioners. On 4 April, the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) organized a consultation that brought together European researchers, practitioner and policymakers. On 6 April, UNDP hosted a consultation in the framework of the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding, which brought together Sierra Leone and Canada from the g7+ and INCAF constituencies, as well as the Civil Society Platform for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (CSPPS). The outcome of the consultations may serve as inputs to various processes, including the ongoing work on the Secretary-General's New Agenda for Peace, deliberations of the Peacebuilding Commission and the mid-term review of the World Bank’s five-year Fragility, Conflict and Violence strategy.
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Head of UNMHA delivers message on International Day for Mine Awareness
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The head of the UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA), Major General (retired) Michael Beary, delivered a special message to the people of Hudaydah and to Yemen on the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on 4 April. Beary reaffirmed UNMHA’s readiness to provide all necessary support, technical advice and coordination on mine removal in Hudaydah. The Mission also released a video featuring Mine Action Advisor Leon Visagie Louw.
Watch the videos here
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UNITAMS holds mine awareness event
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The UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) commemorated International Day for Mine Awareness on 5 April with an event in Khartoum with the National Mine Action Authority. As of April 2023, 2,572 people have fallen victim to landmines and other explosive remnants of war in Sudan. The Mission emphasized the urgency of clearing Sudanese land of all explosive hazards to enable the full recovery of concerned communities
Read more here
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UN Office to the African Union participates in event on global efforts to achieve a mine-free world
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Ahead of the International Day for Mine Awareness, the UN Office to the African Union (UNOAU) participated in an event held by the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council. In his remarks, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Parfait Onanga-Anyanga underscored the AU’s role in the fight to achieve a mine-free world. He further emphasized that the United Nations has been helping states to free themselves from the threat of mines, explosive remnants of war, and improvised explosive devices for more than 25 years.
Read more here
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